Search This Blog

Interview with Chinatown's Wudang Master, Zhou Xuan Yun

A lot, (but not all) of my involvement in Chinatown centers around Kung Fu and Martial arts, so the more I explore Chinatown’s history, I always learn something knew about the history of Kung Fu in Chinatown. It is interesting to me that many of the things that I though I went through, had happened already decades ago for others. Posting about Kung Fu has put me in touch with fantastic masters like Sifu Edward Woodruff and Sifu Tim Lavallee. It also helped me get closer to other Masters like Sifu Donald Wong and Larry Wong. They have many stories about OLD Chinatown and are instrumental in developing new Chinatown. And of course Sifu/Director/film star Mandy Chan. Many more reach out to me who are not as public.

But there are also a lot of cool things happening with regards to new Kung Fu people coming in. In fact Everyone has been talking about two masters in particular. Zhou Xuan Yun is very recognizably a Kung Fu Sifu. Watching him at the Kung Fu Federation in my 20’s and seeing him walk around Chinatown with his students, and then later pushing a stroller, dressed in full Taoist gear like he has stepped out of Wuxia film, there is no doubt how cool his presence alone brings to the overall atmosphere of Chinatown. (The other Master everyone is talking about btw is from Shaolin Temple. Every since these two masters came out old Chinese men have gotten extremely excited about their childhood Kung Fu fantasies.)

I had the opportunity to shake hands and connect at the Films at the gate event. The following interview was done through a document. His wife translated the questions.

How did you learn martial arts?

I was born in Henan Province, in central China. When I was 13 year old my parents sent me to Wudang Mountain, which is a sacred Daoist (Taoist) mountain. I lived and trained full time in a martial arts academy there. When I was 17 year old, I left the academy and entered the temple and became a Daoist priest.

My wife is from Boston. We met in China and moved here in 2009, after our daughter was born.

How was it initially coming into the Boston Chinatown Community?

When I first came to Chinatown, my first impression was that it was dirty, but that the food was good. I also was surprised that Southern Chinese culture was so prevalent. It is wonderful that there is a Chinese community in Boston, but Boston Chinatown does not represent the diversity that can be found in China.

What did you observe about the other Martial Artists.

Before I moved to Boston, I came here once for a short visit. During that visit I happened to meet Yang Jwing-Ming (from Yang’s Martial Arts Association). I felt his ideas about the martial arts were very good. I published three DVDs through YMAA Publications, and taught seminars at his former school near Forest Hills. When we moved to Boston, I got to know the Chinatown community better. I was pleasantly surprised to see that there were a lot of traditional Chinese arts being practiced. Of course, the martial arts community here is not perfect. One of the problems is that a lot of the masters are much older. There isn’t a lot of energy or vitality in the martial arts scene. Also, most people are interested in promoting their own style or lineage. There isn’t a lot of cooperation. Many newer forms of martial arts (like MMA) are drawing potential students in a different directions. Chinatown rents are also rising rapidly, and martial arts schools have been forced to move elsewhere. It is difficult in this country to be a professional martial arts teacher. The vast majority of teachers have a day job and teach martial arts as a hobby, even when it is their true passion. The traditional martial arts are at risk.

How did having a child change things? As a Kung Fu Parent myself, I found your approach with your daughter learning gymnastics interesting. I think other Sifus like Mai Du can relate to having your child learn from someone else instead.

When teaching kids, your class has to be a mix of training and play. My teaching style is more old-school. For example, I don’t have a ranking system, and I don’t teach a kids-only class. I have a few children in my classes, but most are adults. Most of my students had trained and taught martial arts for many years. They were frustrated and looking for a way to bring their practice to the next level. In many ways, my daugher is a typical American kid. She thinks that training kung fu is too boring. Gymnastics is a great way for her to gain flexibility and strength while having fun with other kids her age. It will also make it easier for her to pick up martial arts in the future if she wants to.

What do you think about the future of Chinatown and how has your involvement with the community shaped your view?

I think that Chinatown is becoming more and more commercial. Service industries like stores and restaurants will succeed, but there will be less and less room for cultural or educational institutions. People visiting Chinatown will have less places they can go to understand Chinese culture on a deeper level. The things that you and I teach are art forms, not commodities. They take years of hard work to learn. Martial arts can’t be put in a to-go container, but for dedicated students, they can be life-changing.

Why do you think there isn't as much outdoor stuff in Chinatown?

From what I’ve seen, outdoor events in Chinatown don’t make a profit. Every year my non-profit organization, the Daoist Benevolent Association, runs an event for World Tai Chi Day. The event is possible because of our volunteers and because of donations we receive. The event is worthwhile, but is it not profitable. Chinatown’s other large outdoor event, the Films at the Gate, is also run by a non-profit organization. I don’t see for-profit companies running outdoor events outdoors in Chinatown.

Can you talk more about your Taoist beliefs? How do you balance those beliefs and that philosophy while being in Chinatown as opposed to being at a Temple.

There is a saying in Chinese: 坐为庙，起为云. The first part of the saying means that anywhere you can sit can be your temple. The second part means that anywhere go, you can be free.

Do you do any of the other stereotypical Taoist Priest things? Feng Shui, exorcisms, fortune telling, that sort of thing.

In the temple on Wudang Mountain, I was training in all of the Daoist arts, including chanting, ritual, divination, meditation, exorcism, and feng shui. I also lived as a wandering monk for over 7 years. During that time, I was able to seek out and study under new masters. I have continued with this work in the United States. I have officiated at weddings, and performed the traditional Daoist blessing rituals for new businesses, homes, and babies. I have also helped remove bad spirits from homes. I have traveled with people to view homes or land they were considering buying. This isn’t something I advertise. I just wait until people find me. If it is meant to be, it will happen.

Zhou Xuan Yun currently teaches classes in Chinatown at Boston Ultimate Fitness. To find out more about classes or to get a Feng Shui reading and such check out his website www.daoistgate.com
Or contact him through info@daoistgate.com

Get link

Facebook

Twitter

Pinterest

Email

Other Apps

Comments

Popular Posts

When I was doing Crime watch somehow one of the older American guys who would later learn from me was talking about whether Uncle Frank did Martial Arts. Now this is actually more than just American Stereotyping. Some Asians may groan and say, "Just because a person is Asian and is old doesn't mean they know Kung Fu."

But look, if you were to make a movie about the Drama in Chinatown, and it was made in Hong Kong.. frankly all the powers that be would have superhuman Kung Fu as well as their mental strategies and political pull. This is because, Jin Yong wrote a lot of novels where the people in these political positions had secret and powerful Kung Fu. Part of it is just for entertainment.

Plus, Chinese people like to explain greatness through practice. Training done after birth. Whereas Americans like to explain it through Divine right or genes. I.e. you are great because it is something you are born with and this power cannot be taught.

Halloween is approaching, and Chinatown has some legitimate ghost stories. Fred (not his real name) shared some of his stories with me in an earlier post. Today let's focus on the spooky ones.

"You know that building was all boarded up when I was a kid. It was so Ugly that we didn't even want to look at it. If we were going from Tai Tung back to the restaurant we would actually run, full speed just so we wouldn't have to look at it. It was that much of an eyesore."

Later that building would house Kwong Kow Chinese School and now it is actually a community Center. The school where I learned Kung Fu is there along with several other martial arts, dance and music schools, an after school, a #library, a gallery, and most recently it is where the displaced people from the fire were staying.

"I think the City actually sold it to the Chinatown Community for like a dollar or a penny or something. But you know Kwong Kow wasn't in that building in the beginning, i…

The Vancouver Empty Home Tax is the hottest topic right now for many different reasons. It relates to the influx of foreign investment in properties, the locals that have multiple properties and of course anything that's a tax will always be a touchy subject regardless of where you stand. While only implemented in the city of Vancouver, many around the United States have been discussing what kind of effect it could have on their cities. If you're wondering what this tax is all about, read on and maybe you won't be so confused.

The tax states properties that are vacant, empty, or do not contain a principle resident will get taxed at the rate of 1% per year. At the end of every year, property owners will have several months to file an "Empty Home Tax Declaration" where they will be asked to prove that they are principle residents meaning it's their primary residence or that the property is being rented out for at least 6 months out of each year. If they d…